Early on for the Sierra High Timberwolves girls basketball the squad was right where it planned to be.

Sierra knew the undefeated Valley Oak League champion Manteca Buffaloes were coping with injuries to two core players. The Timberwolves played close the first half, but faltered down the stretch in a 55-44 loss Saturday to the Buffaloes.

Both Courtney Range and Jessica Hasal sat out of the contest due to injuries sustained in the Buffaloes’ win against East Union, leaving Manteca short-handed in more ways than one. Senior guard Mikayla Hasal picked up the slack, helping lead Manteca to stay unblemished on the season.

She led Manteca (13-0 VOL, 19-6 overall) with 14 points, while Jasmine Odell and McKenna Balmut both finished in double figures with 10 and 11, respectively. Odell also paced the Buffaloes with 12 boards.

“I really felt that the team did a great job of stepping up in the place of two of our starters being out,” Manteca head coach Cody Norman said.

Sierra was led by Kayla Wilson’s 17, followed by Tiffany Harris with 10.

Sophomore

Manteca 38, Sierra 36

The ball is finally starting to bounce the way of the Buffaloes, as the club pulled out a close one over the Timberwolves Saturday in VOL play.

Alyssa Burch led Manteca with a double-double, collecting 10 points and 14 rebounds.

Nine of the Manteca Buffaloes’ 10 players scored in the contest.

Freshman

Manteca 35, Sierra 26

The Timberwolves had not lost all season, after Saturday’s blemish to Manteca Sierra has dropped two straight.

Leah Manuleleua had 12 points and 15 rebounds to lead Manteca (11-2, 18-3), who is tied with the Timberwolves atop the VOL standings.